It’s a building that, for nearly 200 years, has attracted worshipers, shopper and excited children eager to see the latest must have toy, but now Bethal Chapel is set for a new lease of life looking towards the future.
Located on Cambridge Street, as part of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City development, and dating back to 1835, the Chapel is being transformed into the Sheffield Energy Hub. A one-stop-shop where people can find help in making the transition to clean energy sources.
The Hub, in a building once used by Cole Brothers as their toy and sport department and now owned by Sheffield City Council, is a voluntary collaboration between around 20 organisations and individuals. This has been brought together in a partnership with the Sheffield Community Energy, South Yorkshire Climate Alliance and Sheffield City Council. It will serve as the place where visitors can get information and support including on things like energy efficiency measures, retrofit grants, renewable technologies, community energy and more. The hub will house examples of renewable technologies and retrofit materials, giving even more people and business in Sheffield a chance to cut their energy bills and tackle climate change.
It’s been incredibly encouraging to see how private, public, community and voluntary sector bodies have come together to make this happen. Some have donated cash, others equipment, artwork, staff time – and indeed the building itself. We are all learning from each other, which results in a better offering to give the public.
Geoff Cox, who has been involved from the outset
The threat of climate change is all around us, we are starting to see the impact right across the world, but there are still things we can all do to make the transition to cleaner, greener energy and, for the people of Sheffield, this hub will be at the very heart of that, helping people and businesses to cut their energy bills and play their part in tackling climate change.
It can seem rather daunting to think about renewable energy, transitioning to NetZero and what is actually meant by retrofitting and that is where the Hub steps in. The people who will work in the Hub will have all the knowledge and be able to answer any questions people may have to help them get in their energy transitioning journey and I would encourage everyone to go to the Hub and take a look at how they might be able to help, including finding out what support is available.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council
We’re proud to be supporting the Sheffield Energy Hub - a vital, practical step towards helping people take control of their energy choices. At IMS Heat Pumps, we believe that making the transition to cleaner, more efficient heating doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. The Hub will give people access to the information, materials, and confidence they need to move forward. It’s brilliant to see so many partners and businesses pulling together to make this happen.
Emma Bohan, Managing Director of IMS Heat Pumps Ltd
Alongside the environmental imperative to decarbonise, retrofit can increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use leading to lower bills. This is hugely important in ensuring people can affordably heat their homes and stay healthy. By co-ordinating all these partners across sectors, including fuel poverty charities who offer support with energy efficiency and retrofit grants, the new hub can help ensure a just transition to net zero in Sheffield.
Gavin Martin, from National Energy Action
The Sheffield Energy Hub, located on Cambridge Street, will officially open on Monday 23 June, operating 5 days a week from 10am to 4pm. The Hub will remain open until 27th September, when it is expected to move to a different building in the city centre.